Flying machine



eta-She's; 1

June 19, 1934. R. s. POWELL FLYING momma 2 She Fil ed Nqv. 21, 1933 June 19, 1934; R s, POWELL I 1,963,676

FLYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21,1933 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Patented June 19, 1934 Russell S. Powell, Takoma Park, Md. Application November 21, 1933, Serial No.-699,060

10 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in flying machines.

An object of, the invention is to construct a flying machine inwhich the customary wings or planes are eliminated and so design the propellers located respectively at opposite sides of the flying machine frame or fuselage as to constitute sustaining means performing the.function of a wing or plane and for theforward propulsion of the flying machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a flying machine of the foregoing character wherein each propeller is preferably comprised of three individual blades extending in such directions and rotatable on an axis at a peculiar angle relative to the vertical and; horizontal axes of the flying machine body so that each blade of the propeller during rotation of the propeller on its axis moves coincidental to a corresponding blade on the-other propeller and performs the function of a temporary sustaining element in simulation of a wing or plane, effects ascent of the flying machine and also forward'propulsion thereof.

With the above and other objects in View that will become apparent. as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consistsin the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:-.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a flying machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a three-bladed propeller at each side of the body or fuselage of the flying machine with corresponding blades of two propellers illustrated in machine sustaining position; I I

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the flying ma.-

Figure 3 is a side elevational view; Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectiona1 view showing a clutch connection between the drive motor and propellers; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view and shows the universally connected links forming the drive rod" between the -motor and propeller.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, the'reference character 10 designates a flying machine comprising a body portion or fuselage 11 with the empennage thereof including I an elevator 12, a rudder 13 anda skid wheel 14. 1

The landing gear depending from the forward end of the fuselage 11 includes rods 15 pivoted at their inner ends as at 16 to the fuselage 11 with their outer ends diverging and meeting to provide a bearing 17 or the ground wheels 18. Shock absorbing struts 19 extend between the wheel bearings 18 and an appurtenance of the flying machine, being vvertically disposed as il-' lustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

Describing the invention from the source of energy to the propellers, the reference character 20 designates a motor suitably supported and housed within the fuselage 11, the drive shaft of the motor 20 being placed into communication with the shaft 21 carrying the worm 22 by means of a manually operable clutch 23 that permits operation of the motor with the propellers at rest. The devices interposed between the motor 20 and worm 22 for the operation of the propellers 24 that are designated in general .by the. reference character 24 include the transverse shaft 25 journalled'in the side walls of the fuselage 11 by means of bearings 26, the shaft 25 carrying intermediate its ends a worm wheel 27 meshing with the worm 22 for the simultaneous operation of the propellers 24 respectively at opposite sides of the flying machine. A horn. or bell-shaped 8 housing 28 is carried by each side of the fuselage 10 and projects outwardly, upwardly and forwardly therefrom, the housing 28 being longitudinally curved with its enlarged flared end anchored as at 29 to the fuselage and enclosing the adjacent projecting end of the transverse shaft 25 as shown in Figure 5. A rod bearing 30 is 26 of the ends of the rod sections 33 and 34 being connected by universal joints 36. ad-

jacent the bearing 31 while the rodsections 32 offset approximately 62 from the vertical axis of the fuselage and directed forwardly at an angle of approximately 47 as illustrated by dot and dash lines in Figures 1 and 3. Each prope1ler24 comprises a hub 38 that is fixed to the rod section 32 outwardly of the bearing and carries three pairs of bracket arms 39 set 120 apart and extending in a plane crossing the outer ends of the rod section 32 respectively for the support of a propeller blade 40. Each blade 40 has a minor curve in its direction of travel and is also canted 'in said direct-ion for accomplishing the purposes ascribed to the several blades of each propeller.

The propellers 24 are simultaneously operated and corresponding blades of each propeller simultaneously move through a cycle of operation. The particular angularity of the rod sections 32 for the support of the propeller causes a pair of corresponding blades to assume the position illustrated in Figure 1 as overlying the fuselage, spread to a substantially flat position and to function as sustaining means for the flying machine in simulation of a wing or plane. blades travel in the direction of the arrows 40a shown in Figure 2 and when said pair of blades moves from the sustaining position shownin Figure 1, they shift to the forwardly propelling position as illustrated by-the downwardly positioned blades in Figure 3, the particular angularity of the rod section 32 and the canting of the blade 40 causing the latter to shift from a substantially flat position as shown in Figure l to a broad side position as shown in Figures 2 and 3. the change of position of the blade from Figures 1 to 3, the same travels in a downward direction and effects elevation of the flying machine to supplement the action of the elevator 12. Continued movement of this particular pair of blades through an arc of substantially 180 continues in the forward propulsion of the machine and elevation thereof until the blade moves to a position directly above the fuselage 11 and into sustaining position. As an aid in flight, the usual ailerons 41 are provided and are illustrated as hinged as at 42 to-the rear side of each housing 28. The blades 40 of the propeller and housings 28 are formed on stream lines to offer the least resistance to their movement and also for the purpose of aiding in suspension. The presence of coacting blades of each propeller above the fuselage in a substantially flat condition performs the function of a sustaining wing or plane and the cycle of movement of the blade effects the forward propulsion of the flying machine and also aids in ascent thereof. It is to be understood that the flying machine may be constructed of any materials desired and it is primarily intended to construct the device for individual.

use or of a size to carry a pilot and one or more passengers.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparent and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

1. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, stub shafts for the rotatable sup- The propeller During port of the propellers, each set at an angle of approximately 47 forwardly and 62 outwardly.

2. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension,

forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, and corresponding blades of each propeller simultaneously movable through a cycle whereby a pair of blades are positioned over the fuselage in simulation of a plane, a pair functioning as forward propellers and a pair functioning as elevators, stub shafts for the rotatable support of the propellers, each set at an angle of approximately 47 forwardly and 62 out wardly.

3. In a. flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, stub shafts for the rotatable support of the propellers, each set at an angle of approximately 47 forwardly and 62 outwardly, and said propeller blades being canted in their direction of rotation.

4. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, and corresponding blades of each propeller simultaneously movable through a cycle whereby a pair of blades are positioned over the fuselage in simulation of a plane, a pair functioningas forward propellers and a pair functioning as elevators, stub shafts for the rotatable support of the propellers, each set at an angle of approximately 47 forwardly and 62 outwardly, and said propeller blades b'eing canted in their direction of rotation.

5. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, stub shafts for the rotatable support of the propellers, each set at an angle of approximately 47 forwardly and 62 outwardly, and said propeller blades being canted in their direction of rotation, and curved in their direction of rotation.

6. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, and corresponding blades of each pro-- peller simultaneously movable through a cycle whereby a pair of blades are positioned over the fuselage in simulation of a plane, a pair functioning as forward propellers and a pair functioning as elevators, stub shafts for the rotatable support pellers, and means forming communication between the source of energy and propellers including a sectional shaft, a housing carried by the fuselage for each sectional shaft, bearings for the shaft and universal connections between the sections of the shaft, said housings being of substantially horn shape, curved in the direction of its longitudinal axis and outwardly, forwardly and upwardly directed.

8. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension, forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, and corresponding blades of each propeller simultaneously movable through a cycle whereby a pair of blades are positioned over the fuselage in simulation of a plane, a pair functioning as forward propellers and a pair functioning as elevators, a source of energy for the operation of the propellers and a clutch element interposed between the source of energy and propellers, and means forming, communication between thesource of energy and propellers including a sectional shaft, a housing carried by the fuselage for each sectional shaft, bearings for the shaft and universal connections between the sections of the shaft, said housings being of substantially horn shape, curved in the direction of its longitudinal axis and outwardly, forwardly and upwardly 9. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller shaft, a housing carried by the fuselage for each sectional shaft, and an aileron hinged to the rear edge of each housing.

10. In a flying machine, a fuselage, a propeller at each side of the fuselage adjacent the forward end and each propeller including a series of blades respectively movable in cycles for the suspension,

forward propulsion and ascension of the flying machine, and corresponding blades of each propeller simultaneously movable through I a cycle whereby a pair of blades are positioned over the fuselage in simulation of a plane, a pair functioning as forward propellers and apair functioning as elevators, a source of energy for the operationof the propellers and a clutch element interposed between the source of energy and'propellers, and means forming communication between the source of energy and propellers including a sectional shaft, a housing carried by the fuselage for each sectional shaft, and an aileron hinged to the rear edge of each housing.

' RUSSELL S. POWELL.

will

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